From Dover to Canterbury: the Arrival of the first Friars Minor to England
Please note: Registration for events that have a fee is now closed.
RSVP for no-cost events is open until capacity is reached or
two days prior to the event, whichever occurs first.
For overnight accommodations, consider the Premier Inn in Dover and Canterbury. You can also consider the Hampton Inn in Canterbury.
9 September in Dover:
– 4:30pm Pilgrimage walk from Dover Beach to St. Edmund Church for Evening Prayer and a brief presentation on Early Franciscans and St. Edmund by local parishioner, Paul Smye Rumsby.
Meeting point: In front of Bella Vita Restaurant – The Esplanade, Dover CT17 9FS. St. Edmunds: Priory Rd, Dover CT16 1BB
– 6:30pm Dinner at La Salle Verte Café, located at 14-15 Cannon St, Dover CT16 1BZ (Registration required, cost £10)
10 September in Dover:
– 7:30am Roman Catholic Mass on Dover Beach with Friar Carlos Trovarelli, OFM Conv., Minister General of the Greyfriars and 120th successor to St. Francis of Assisi (rain location at St. Paul Church). Note: There are no chairs available for this Mass. You may bring your own. Also, we recommend that you bring sturdy footwear, as this is a pebble (not sand) beach.
Locations:
Mass on beach at Bella Vita Restaurant: The Esplanade, Dover CT17 9FS
Rain Option at St. Paul Church: 103 Maison Dieu Rd, Dover CT16 1RU
– Following Mass, Breakfast of Bacon Baguettes & Sausage Butties at La Salle Verte Café (Registration required, cost £5)
WALKING PILGRIMAGE DOVER TO CANTERBURY (Optional)
After breakfast, consider joining us for the walking pilgrimage to Canterbury. This pilgrimage of 19 miles will take seven (7) to eight (8) hours as we pass along quiet roads and footpaths. Please note that the pilgrimage does include a few steep hills. Pilgrims will stop along the journey to visit St. Andrew Church in Shepherdswell and St. Margaret of Antioch Church, Womenwold. Snacks, lunch, and dinner are included with your registration fee. (Registration required, cost £30 – limited to 30 participants)
10 September in Canterbury:
– 3:00pm Franciscan Evening Prayer in Canterbury Cathedral Crypt, followed by a presentation on the St. Francis of Assisi and the Mission to England (1224-1240) by Dr. Michael Robson, Ph.D., Emeritus Fellow and former Dean of Chapel, St. Edmund’s College, University of Cambridge. Followed by refreshments at the Methodist Hall. There is no cost for this event. (RSVP directly to: franciscaneveningprayer800@franciscans.org.uk)
– 7:30pm Join us as we welcome pilgrims who have walked to Canterbury from Dover with a Dinner at St. Thomas of Canterbury Shrine (RSVP needed/cost for non-walkers £10)
11 September in Canterbury:
– 9:30am Franciscan Tour of Canterbury Cathedral (Registration required, cost £5) Please note that space is limited
– 11:00am Franciscan Morning Prayer with reflection in Canterbury Cathedral. Doors open at 10:30am.
– 12:30pm Anglican Mass on the lawn in front of Greyfriars Chapel. Please note that the entrance to the property is through the Franciscan Gift Shop at 60 St. Peters Street. Note: There will be limited seating available for this Mass.
– 2:00pm Festive Lunch for the Franciscan Family at St. Thomas of Canterbury Shrine Hall, located at 59 Burgate, Canterbury CT1 2HJ. Note: Use entrance on Canterbury Lane (Registration required, cost £10)
-5:30pm Choral Evening Prayer in Canterbury Cathedral. Please note that this is a regular Cathedral liturgical service that is open to the public.
Unfortunately, the original Greyfriars convent building in Canterbury cannot be visited because it is currently under renovation. The gardens, however, are open.
Please note: Registration for events that have a fee is now closed.
RSVP for no-cost events is open until capacity is reached or
two days prior to the event, whichever occurs first.
Questions? Contact us at: franciscans800uk@gmail.com